WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday struck a bipartisan tone of unity with Democrats who won control of the House, while also threatening a “warlike posture” that would halt government if they use their new power to investigate him.

"The election is over," Trump said. "... I think we had a tremendous success and hopefully the tone can get better."

He praised House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who could be the next House speaker, and said he could find common ground with House Democrats on issues of infrastructure, health care, immigration and trade policy.

Trumps spars with CNN reporter
In President Trump's post-election press conference, he touted GOP gains in the Senate and had a clash with CNN reporter Jim Acosta. (Credit: CHEDDAR)

“From a dealmaking standpoint, we are all much better off the way it turned out,” Trump said of Democrats winning the majority of seats in the House.

But he also said of Democrats: "Almost from the time I announced I was going to run, they've been giving me investigation fatigue."

While Trump said he and Pelosi (D-Calif.) can "get a lot done," he pledged to retaliate if House Democrats used their subpoena power to launch any investigations, including of his tax returns.

“They can play that game, but we can play it better because we have the United States Senate,” he said, referring to the expanded GOP majority in that chamber.

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After his formal remarks at a news conference Wednesday, Trump turned combative when reporters asked about his taxes, special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, possible voter suppression in states such as Georgia, and his own rhetoric at rallies in which he calls himself “a nationalist.”

At one point, Trump threw his hands up, walking away from the podium, in a confrontation with CNN reporter Jim Acosta.

Acosta had asked about the migrant caravan and the Russia investigation. During the exchange, Acosta stood in the front of the room as a White House press employee tried to grab the microphone from him.

Trump: Pence will be 2020 running mate
President Donald Trump says Vice President Mike Pence will be his running mate in 2020, impromptu confirmation that could give sign makers a head start on printing political signs for the next presidential election.
(Credit: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

“That’s enough. Put down the mic,” Trump told Acosta.

“Mr. President, are you worried about indictments coming down in this investigation?" Costa continued.

Trump replied: “I’ll tell you what: CNN should be ashamed of itself having you working for them. You are a rude, terrible person. You shouldn’t be working for CNN.”

In a statement late Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Acosta's press credentials for access to the White House had been suspended "until further notice."

During the news conference, Trump repeatedly told reporters to “sit down” or “stop talking” during several heated moments in the East Room.

In one exchange, PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor began asking Trump: “On the campaign trail, you called yourself a nationalist. Some people saw that as emboldening white nationalists. Now people are also saying ...”